The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Charles A. Hancock (MCSN: 947534), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Ammunition Carrier of Company I, Third Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division during the attack on Motoyama Airfield Number Three on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 7 March 1945. After his squad had been forced to withdraw to a more favorable position under a furious barrage of hostile mortar and artillery fire, Private First Class Hancock heroically volunteered to return to the abandoned emplacement to retrieve a gun from possible capture. Successful completing this daring mission, he again went forward through increased hostile small arms fire to bring back the ammunition. Fatally wounded by the fire of an automatic enemy weapon just as he reached a covered position, Private First Class Hancock, by his valiant initiative and indomitable fighting spirit had upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.